safety of fertilisers in pregnancy?

[MamaChris]

We have an allotment, and the new guy who has the plot next door is very keen on chemicals. He sprinkles powdered fertiliser (perhaps fish and bone meal?) over the whole plot every few weeks. As it isn't dug in, it wafts about in the breeze for a week or two after. The smell is unpleasant, but I'm most worried about whether it's safe to breathe, being pregnant. Does anyone know? Thanks.

I don't think the fertiliser is the worry. If he uses fungicides,pesticides etc. those are to worry about, some have been linked to cancer.

There arediseases that are quite serious that pregnant women can catch from sheep.

"Pregnant women who come into close contact with sheep during lambing may risk their own health and that of their unborn child, from infections that can occur in some ewes. These include chlamydiosis (enzootic abortion of ewes - EAE), toxoplasmosis and listeriosis, which are common causes of abortion in ewes."

I think it unlikely you would catch those from manure blowing in the wind, even if it was manure from sheep.

Growing up on a farm near manure all the time did no harm to me or my sisters or my Mum. Just make sure you wash your hands well after being in the allotment.

Oh and if it is meat and bone meal it will have been heat treated at high temperature since BSE.

Sounds like he's wasting his blood fish and bone if it's coming onto your plot for free!